News Release

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Body Found Burned in Northeast Division

UPDATE
On February 2, 2018, detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division
arrested 56-year-old Valentino Gutierrez in Pasadena, California.
Detectives used a variety of investigative tools, including video
surveillance, bloodhounds and witness statements to quickly
apprehend Gutierrez. At this time, detectives believe Gutierrez
murdered and dismembered the victim in an abandoned restaurant near
Arroyo Parkway and California Boulevard in Pasadena. After
dismembering the body, Gutierrez placed it in a suitcase. Shortly
after midnight on February 1st he boarded a Gold Line train in
Pasadena with a bicycle and the suitcase. Gutierrez exited the
train at the Lincoln Cypress Station in Los Angeles. It is believed
he rode his bike and towed the suitcase to the 2000 block of North
Figueroa where he lit the suitcase on fire.

Detectives believe the victim is the wife of the suspect,
31-year-old Tiana Alfred. Detectives are working with the Los
Angeles County Coroner's Office to confirm the identity and locate
next of kin.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed murder
and arson against Gutierrez and his bail was set at over two
million dollars.

Los Angeles: On February 1,
2018, around 1:55 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
officers responded to the 2000 block of North Figueroa Street to
meet the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Before the officers
arrived, the LAFD received a call to the same location for a fire.
After extinguishing the fire, they found one person.That person was
pronounced dead at the scene.

LAPD Northeast Homicide detectives, along with Robbery Homicide
Division detectives, responded to the scene to investigate the
death.

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office responded and will conduct
an autopsy. When the decedent has been identified, the Coroner's
Office will notify the next of kin and release the identity.

The LAPD is asking for the public's help in identifying the victim
and determining the cause of death. Anyone with information
regarding the fire death is asked to contact LAPD Robbery Homicide
Division at (213)486-6850. During non-business hours or on
weekends, please contact 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone
wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to
www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit
www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the
"Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly,
tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and
select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.